Subdeacons are not allowed to perform the work of
presbyters and deacons. Wherefore they neither deliver the bread
nor the cup to the people.

Hefele.

According to the Apostolic Constitutions, the communion
was administered in the following manner: the bishop gave to each
the holy bread with the words: “the Body of the
Lord,” and the recipient said, “Amen.” The
deacon then gave the chalice with the words: “the Blood of
Christ, the chalice of life,” and the recipient again answered,
“Amen.” This giving of the chalice with the
words: “the Blood of Christ,” etc., is called in the
canon of Laodicea a “blessing” (εὐλογεῖν).
The Greek commentator Aristenus in accordance with this, and quite
rightly, gives the meaning of this canon.

This canon is found in the Corpus Juris Canonici,
Gratian’s Decretum, Pars I., Diet. XCIII., c. xix.; but
reads “Deacons” instead of “Subdeacons.”
The Roman Correctors point out the error.